baby phase sentiments

Saying Goodbye to the Baby Phase

Just this past week, our baby has gone potty all by herself. Granted, she’s using a plastic imitation from Target (because she is way too short for the original john), but hey, we are one step closer to no diapers. A dream come true…

Truly.

Believe me when I say that I am overjoyed to be moving out of the potty-training phase of my life, but as I watch Jenna march from the back room and plant her tiny tuchus on that seat, I realize…

We no longer have babies.

Velvet soft heads, gurgles, and milk-drunk naps are a thing of the past. The wide eyes that stare in wonder at bright lights and ceiling fans now look me straight in the face with fierce independence.

I sit on the edge of the couch and a feel a mixture of pride and nostalgia. My sweatshirt is dirty and my shoulders feel heavy.

Somewhere in the middle of all the days and nights that ran together, this happened.  There wasn’t a big celebration or a noticeable culmination that sent out the old and ushered in the new.

It just happened.

I attempt to scratch the dried peanut butter off my sleeve, and glance at the high chair that needs to be wiped of the same.

These pangs of time and growth are frequent. Yet, I perceive myself moving, passing milestones, with no time to stop.

I sit up straight, stretch my shoulders, and watch my baby sit on the floor attempting to get one leg back into her floral leggings. She grunts with determination.

Before long, she will effortlessly dress herself.

In a way, I feel gypped by the passing of time, and ignorant for missing moments that seem to hide themselves so well within the mundane.

My youngest gives up on her pants and makes her way down the hall toward the loud playroom. My sweatshirt begs to be changed.

How do days fuse together like one? 

Walking over to the sink to occupy my hands, I know the answer. I wish I would take the time to pause a little more. Reflect and be grateful.

My bare-skinned toddler marches down the hall, and I smile. Today truly is a gift…  

We should celebrate.

For new teeth, for kids getting dressed all by themselves, for pretty, hand-drawn pictures of birds and butterflies, for sticky fingers, for new phases, for dirty sweatshirts, and pee in the potty…

I shrug the weight off my shoulders and feel a hint of new energy as I pull out the last gluten-free pie crust from the fridge.  This celebration won’t be grand. It doesn’t need to be, because gratitude, like quiet milestones, mingles well with the mundane.

What phases are starting or ending for you?

More Articles on Motherhood

*This post contains Amazon and other Affiliate Links.


Similar Posts

12 Comments

  1. That is awesome! My oldest has gone approximately 3 weeks without any accidents, he is 2.5 years old, it’s so bittersweet. How old is your youngest? I feel like it’s easier with girls (I could be wrong)

    1. That’s awesome!? My youngest is 20 months. She’s just a quick little nugget, though. My other two took a little longer, so I’m not sure if its gender or just the individual personality.

      1. That is interesting, we started around 13 months with my oldest and he got the hang of nr.2 very early on but couldn’t control nr.1 until he turned 2.5 yrs old. I am experimenting to see if my youngest (girl) can get it together faster 🙂

        1. So, I’m assuming you’ve heard of EC? (Thats the early communication movement where they start potty training really young.) Well, there are a couple books out about it and even some youtube videos that I picked up a couple helpful tips from. But more than that, it motivated me to tackle the task. ? (Just though I’d share, if you are interested)

          1. I have come across some things, but nothing that seems dedicated to that cause, I am going to search YouTube for a dedicated channel. You have peaked my curiosity 🙂

  2. I know the exact same feelings on getting out of the baby stage Jessica! The eyes that stare at ceiling fans with wonder is a good one, Our little one did that but not anymore. He is 2 , 3 in June and growing up. It is so bittersweet. Your little one will be independent before you know it and the togetherness of helping dress her will be diminished. We both feel gypped by time passing , we just need to be able to take in each day and realise time is moving on but not to let it totally move so fast that we cannot appreciate these special days for our little ones. Such a beautiful and well written post Jessica, thank you so much, Hugs Terri xo. P.S. Happy V day !

  3. We are just starting to have some interest in the potty… just in time for me to start all over again with a new baby next month! But some days I look at Noah and realize that he’s becoming a little boy and not a baby anymore. It’s sweet, but a little sad at the same time.

    1. Yeah, that is how I felt with our other two… They were only 22 months apart and we started the potty thing right before the other was born. lol. Crazy times! Hopefully it will be a relatively easy learn for your little man. ?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *